Mugabe: “I Can’t Vote For Those Who Tormented Me”

Zimbabwe’s former president, Robert Mugabe, has broken his silence on Sunday afternoon ahead of the country’s elections on Monday.

Mugabe was addressing the media in an off the cuff speech which lasted over an hour, outside his mansion in the capital city, Harare.

The former president, who was removed from his position, says he will not vote for the people who terminated his term. Turning his back on his former ally President Emmerson Mnangagwa (75), Mugabe said he will vote for the opposition.

This will be the first elections since Mugabe’s removal last November, following his 37 years ruling the country.

Mugabe said: “We shall never again experience a period where the army is used to thrust one person into power, No. So the election tomorrow, I ask, is it to bring democracy, constitutionality, and freedom or shall we see the return of the same rule we experienced since November?

“Let the people go and vote. Let them go and vote freely. We have had now a long list of aspirants – 23 is the number of aspirants. I must say very clearly, I can’t vote for those who have tormented me. No. I will make my choice among the other 22,” Mugabe said.

The election will see Mnangagwa face 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa, a lawyer and pastor who is vying to become Zimbabwe’s youngest head of state.

According to Reuters, the polls, which are unreliable, give former intelligence chief Mnangagwa only a slim lead over Chamisa, making a runoff on September 8 a possibility… which could lead to violence similar to what happened in the run off in 2008 when dozens of people lost their lives.

Mugabe today accused Mnangagwa’s government of being unconstitutional and ruled by the gun. (Mnangagwa is nicknamed ‘the crocodile’ for his alleged stealth and ruthlessness.)

“I hope the choice of voting tomorrow will throw, thrust away the military government and bring us back to constitutionality,” said Mugabe.

“I said I can’t vote for those who have caused me to be in this situation … so there is Chamisa left.”  

Mugabe on Sunday said it was “total nonsense” that he wanted his wife to succeed him as had been alleged, and claimed that he had intended to resign at a ZANU-PF congress in December.

In response to Mugabe’s public seal of approval, Chamisa said: “Mr. Mugabe’s wishes are his wishes. I am going to accept any voter with open hands. The more the merrier.”